• 2017 PPR fantasy rankings breakdown: Best values and riskiest picks

    By Kevin Day, August 19, 2017
    Jameis Winston Tampa Bay Bucanneers
    Image source

    The first rounds of a fantasy draft can make or break your team.

    While sleepers are fun to find later in the draft, the studs of your team are the ones to carry you to victory.

    That's why it's critical to thoroughly evaluate the top picks at the core fantasy positions.

    We're going to break down the top 10 fantasy players at quarterback, wide receiver, and running back in our PPR rankings and see which ones are the riskiest and which provide the best value.

    Top 10 Ranked Quarterbacks

    1. Aaron Rodgers QB GB 8
    2. Tom Brady QB NE 9
    3. Drew Brees QB NO 5
    4. Matt Ryan QB ATL 5
    5. Russell Wilson QB SEA 6
    6. Derek Carr QB OAK 10
    7. Andrew Luck QB IND 11
    8. Kirk Cousins QB WAS 5
    9. Jameis Winston QB TB 11
    10. Marcus Mariota QB TEN 8

    Riskiest: Marcus Mariota

    The riskiest quarterback in the top 10 has to be Marcus Mariota. He has new weapons to work with in Eric Decker and Corey Davis. However, it's still a big unknown how well they will work together. Additionally, can a "smashmouth offense" really produce a top-10 fantasy quarterback?

    Best Value: Jameis Winston

    Jameis Winston now has a million weapons to work with. He is a blossoming young quarterback who is leading a powerful offense that could be one of the best in all of football. Bank on him leaning on Mike Evans to produce a memorable fantasy year for the Bucanneers.

    Full QB rankings

    Top 10 Ranked Wide Receivers

    1. Odell Beckham Jr WR NYG 8
    2. Julio Jones WR ATL 5
    3. Antonio Brown WR PIT 9
    4. Mike Evans WR TB 11
    5. A.J. Green WR CIN 6
    6. Jordy Nelson WR GB 8
    7. Michael Thomas WR NO 5
    8. Amari Cooper WR OAK 10
    9. Dez Bryant WR DAL 6
    10. T.Y. Hilton WR IND 11

    Riskiest: Michael Thomas

    While he had a phenomenal rookie season, Michael Thomas is still in the New Orleans passing offense, which is notorious for spreading the ball around. Asking ANY New Orleans wide receiver to live up to the 7th overall wide receiver is a tall order. Expecting it from a 2nd year wide receiver is an even bigger risk. Look elsewhere on the Saints offense for value. Thomas is already being drafted at his ceiling.

    Best Value: A.J. Green

    Mr. Reliable. That's A.J. Green every year in fantasy. Before an injury cut short his 2016 season, he had a streak of 5 seasons in a row with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Be glad that he's being drafted at a discount and snap him up as the 5th wide receiver off the board. He still has upside to be the top WR in fantasy.

    Full PPR wide receiver rankings

    Top 10 Ranked Running Backs

    1. David Johnson RB ARI 8
    2. LeVeon Bell RB PIT 9
    3. LeSean McCoy RB BUF 6
    4. Devonta Freeman RB ATL 5
    5. Melvin Gordon RB LAC 9
    6. DeMarco Murray RB TEN 8
    7. Jordan Howard RB CHI 9
    8. Ezekiel Elliott RB DAL 6
    9. Jay Ajayi RB MIA 11
    10. Todd Gurley RB LAR 8

    Riskiest: DeMarco Murray

    DeMarco Murray had a great fantasy season last year. However, there are three things that could work against him in 2017. First, the addition of two new receivers in Corey Davis and Eric Decker could lead to less attempts for him. Second, Derrick Henry is a talented running back and a constant threat for playing time. Lastly, injuries are always a concern for Murray. He was healthy last year, but he has quite a few injuries to his name throughout his career. Be careful drafting him this year.

    Best Value: Jay Ajayi

    Jay Ajay is a big play threat that now has full control of the running back position in Miami. He also now has a solid quarterback in Jay Cutler to power the offense. Think back to some of Matt Forte's best seasons in Chicago. That is the upside of Ajayi this year with the Dolphihs. He could easily outperform his ranking as 9th best running back off the board.

    Full PPR running back rankings

    UPDATE:

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    Filed under: Fantasy Football News

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