NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the Seattle Seahawks. As always, average draft position (ADP) is pulled from FantasyPros.com.
Russell Wilson Hops On Stage With Taylor Swift
Must Owns
Marshawn Lynch, RB (ADP: 5): Analyzing Lynch’s fantasy prospects are basically unnecessary at this point. His workload and age are slight concerns, but he’s 1,000+ yards and double-digit touchdowns every year. Draft him anywhere in the first round, and it’s not a reach. He’s a monster.
Jimmy Graham, TE (ADP: 27): Graham’s upside is obvious. He’s the best pure receiving tight end in football, and I didn’t forget about Rob Gronkowski. Graham is a touchdown machine, and even without Drew Brees throwing it, that won’t change provided he’s healthy.
Graham has also never played in more than 13 games, and at No. 27 overall, you’ll be deficient at RB or WR if you invest a pick that high at TE. He’s going to be better than every other TE sans Gronk if he’s healthy, but you run the risk of having to scramble for help if he goes down.
Richard Sherman Calls Out Antonio Cromartie
Russell Wilson, QB (ADP: 33): Last season just about nobody returned as much fantasy value in any format as Wilson did. This year, his ADP is significantly higher, and he’ll have to have a repeat rushing performance—that is 849 yards and six touchdowns—to justify it.
The good news is that he can totally do it! The bad news is that he probably won’t. Still, he will run enough, and gain enough value from having Graham in the fold, that you won’t regret investing a high pick.
Defense/Special Teams (ADP: 62): This unit is perennially at or near the top, but No. 62 is just too high. They will be good again, but this team has spent a lot more to retain its stars, and the depth has suffered. A few injuries could make this a mere Top 5-7 defense, which is great, but not worth a sixth-round pick.
S Earl Thomas is going to be entering the year banged up, and we’ve seen Richard Sherman suffer some injuries. Kam Chancellor is holding out too. There are red flags, so if you can hold off, do so.
Steven Hauschka, K (ADP: 134): Big leg, good offense.
Sleepers (Best Format)
Doug Baldwin, WR, PPR (ADP: 183): Baldwin is no star, but he’s the clear-cut No. 1 WR in Seattle. Graham is going to be the passing game’s top target, but he will free up Baldwin to face tons of one-on-one coverage, and he’s damn good at getting open. Watch his reception totals rise.
Deep Finds (Best Format)
Chris Matthews, WR, Standard (ADP: 212): Matthews burst onto the scene during the Super Bowl, and at 6’5, 218 pounds, he has all the opportunity in the world to emerge as the team’s top wideout.
Jermaine Kearse, WR, Standard (ADP: N/A): Kearse is higher on the depth chart than Matthews right now, and an explosive talent in his own right. Consistency has been his enemy, but he’s only 25.
Christine Michael, RB, Standard (ADP: N/A): Michael is the third-string RB for now, but he is a bruiser with speed and he has a much higher ceiling than Robert Turbin.
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