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 Baltimore Ravens. As always, average draft position (ADP) is pulled from FantasyPros.com.
Must Owns
Justin Forsett, RB (ADP: 23): Some have their doubts about Forsett, who had a breakout year in 2014 at the age of 29. Forsett is smallish and doesn’t have a long track record of success at all. He’s also a receiving threat, and we saw what new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman did for Matt Forte last year. Draft Forsett at this spot comfortably, and even earlier isn’t a big stretch.
Steve Smith Sr., WR (ADP: 89): Smith is no spring chicken, but this is his last year in the NFL and you know he is going to go out big. Smith put up more than 1,000 yards last season and scored six touchdowns. With Torrey Smith gone, Smith should be able to do even more. He’s a fine FLEX option and offers great depth as a WR3 and beyond.
5 Tight End Sleepers Beyond The Top 150
Defense/Special Teams (ADP: 134): The Ravens D/ST is going ninth among D/STs, but they are going to way outperform that. Expect a top-5 unit with their secondary healthy again, and one of the best linebacker quartets (Courtney Upshaw, C.J. Mosley, Daryl Smith, Terrell Suggs) in football.
Justin Tucker, K (ADP: 145): Tucker has a big leg, and the Ravens’ offense is going to stall quite a bit. Tucker should be a top-5 kicker.
Sleepers (Best Format)
Breshad Perriman, WR, Standard (ADP: 125): The Ravens are hoping that Perriman can step right into the role of the Torrey Smith, but right now he’s on the shelf with a hamstring issue. The Ravens are thin in the receiving corps, so once he is healthy Perriman will get his shot. That’s why he’s still a sleeper. But beware—drops have plagued him in the past, and he is inexperienced. Even pick No. 125 might be too high.
Joe Flacco, QB, Standard (ADP: 128): Flacco has so much upside because of his arm, but a lack of weapons, and a history of being a mediocre fantasy QB, have conspired to drop him to the 17th QB off the board. Flacco is best suited to two-QB leagues, but he has enough upside to warrant a late flier as your backup.
Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Standard (ADP: 215): He looks like the backup now, and should be good for 4-6 touchdowns. Forsett has an injury history too so there’s an obvious road to playing time. With Trestman in the fold though, Taliaferro’s lack of receiving might hurt his snaps even if he lucks into an expanded role.
Deep Finds (Best Format)
Javorious Allen, RB, PPR (ADP: 281): Buck Allen is an afterthought right now, but he should be in the back of your mind. Taliaferro isn’t healthy at the moment, and Allen’s 41 catches last season in college may warm Trestman up to him.
Kamar Aiken, WR, Standard (ADP: 314): He’s the Ravens’ No. 2 WR right now, and Flacco has to throw to someone.
Maxx Williams, TE, Standard (ADP: 302): This rookie could make a surprising impact in 2015, but it will take a while. He’s currently listed third on the depth chart, and the name below him could wipe out the competition at TE in Baltimore if he’s healthy.
Dennis Pitta, TE, PPR (ADP: N/A): Pitta was once everyone’s sleeper darling—think Travis Kelce right now. But Pitta’s played in four games over the past two seasons and everyone has forgotten about him. He’s on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list right now, but this is as deep a stash as you can find.
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