Daily Dr. Roto — May 10, 2018
Fantasy Football Offseason: Fact or Fiction?
The offseason is a time when coaches, players, agents, and pundits all make prognostications about potential moves in the NFL. It’s our job to decipher which of the things we hear are fact and which are fiction.
The Cleveland Browns are still planning on Tyrod Taylor being their starting QB for Week 1.
Fact or Fiction? Fact: The Browns specifically brought in Tyrod Taylor for this very reason. They knew they were going to draft a rookie QB at #1 and they needed to find someone who could run the team until the rookie (in this case Baker Mayfield) was ready. Expect Taylor to start the first ten games. Mayfield might get his first chance Week 12 after the Browns have their BYE week in Week 11.
PLAY AGAINST THE BEST WITH FullTime Fantasy! | Odds
The Cleveland Browns are open to trading WR Corey Coleman.
Fact or Fiction? Fact: I was surprised that the Browns didn’t trade Corey Coleman the second they drafted WR Antonio Callaway. With Landry, Gordon, and now Callaway in the fold, Coleman will only see about four or five targets a game. Look for the Browns to move Coleman for a third or fourth round draft pick right before the start of the season. For what it’s worth, Coleman to the Cowboys would be a great fit, and I would love to see that happen.
The New York Giants will sign disgruntled WR Odell Beckham Jr. to a contract before the season.
Fact or Fiction? Fact: After the Giants invested the #2 overall pick in RB Saquon Barkley, the Giants are all-in on trying to be one of the top offenses in the NFL. Beckham is one of the top two receivers in the league, and no team will meet the Giants outrageous trade demands for him. If they are not going to trade him, they are going to have to pay him. Beckham will most likely get his new deal before the start of the season as the team cannot take the chance that he ruins team morale during the season arguing about a new deal.
The Indianapolis Colts are going to start Chester Rogers as their WR2 this season.
Fact or Fiction? Fiction: Chester Rogers is the epitome of a JAG (Just a guy) who is slightly above league average. I expect to see Ryan Grant as the team’s WR2, but regardless of whoever gets the job, neither player will have significant Fantasy value. Look for Frank Reich to use TEs Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron like he used Zach Ertz and Trey Burton in Philadelphia. He will also use RBs Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines as he used Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles, leaving little room for Rogers and/or Grant to shine.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will start the season with a running back committee of Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber.
Fact or Fiction? Fact: Bucs HC Dirk Koetter likes Peyton Barber and thinks enough of him to make sure that he gets a few carries a game. However, Ronald Jones is by far the more explosive running back who can be a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield as well. Look for the Jones —Barber split to be about 60% in Jones’ favor at the beginning of the season. However, if Jones plays well that number could move to about 75-25% over time.
Washington Redskins will continue to use RB Chris Thompson as their featured pass-catching running back this season.
Fact or Fiction? Fact: Although the Redskins selected RB Samaje Perine last season and Derrius Guice this year, neither of those two running backs are the pass-catching threat that Chris Thompson is. Thompson is also terrific in pass protection which is critical with a nervous Alex Smith throwing the football. Smith rarely throws the ball downfield, so it seems likely that Thompson will once again be a huge threat in this offense. The only question is whether he can finally stay healthy for an entire season.
CLICK HERE to check out our Fantasy Draft lobby! Compete in a FullTime Fantasy Sports contest, anywhere from our $35 Starter League to our $299 Online Championship, and of course in the Main Event! We are the home of the best players and payouts in the world!
