Isaiah Crowell has RB1 potential, especially in PPR leagues.
Most fantasy players believe that point per reception leagues are easier leagues to draft players in. The reality is however, you have to do more homework in PPR leagues, particularly if you want to draft well in the later rounds.
It is all about finding those proverbial diamonds in the rough. Here are fifteen players that could be real finds, particularly in the middle rounds.
Running Backs
Isaiah Crowell, Jets: Crowell will be the Jets starting running and split time with Bilal Powell. Powell will be used mostly on second and third down situations but Crowell will get touches in the passing game as well, especially on first and second down.
Jerick McKinnon, 49ers: McKinnon had a scare at practice yesterday. It turns out it was just a calf strain. McKinnon will get touches in a myriad of ways in the 49ers offense. That makes him a prime PPR target in drafts. McKinnon should be off the board by round five.
Chris Thompson, Redskins: Thompson is back from a broken leg. With Derrius Guice our for the season with a torn ACL, Thompson will get more touches in the passing game. Thompson could finish with 65-70 catches.
Joe Mixon, Bengals: Mixon is now the guy in Cincinnati. The Bengals will use Mixon all three downs. He won’t just get touches in the running game. I expect Mixon to be a big part of the Bengals passing game.
Dalvin Cook, Vikings: Cook is a legit RB1 candidate, especially in 12 team leagues. Cook will get touches in the run game, passing game and screen game. The only caveat, goal line touches. Latavius Murray will get a lot of those carries, especially early on.
Wide Receivers
D.J Moore, Panthers: More caught 6 passes for 75 yards in the Panthers pre-season opener. He is a terrific route runner who can play from a variety of alignments and get open. If you are looking for a bye week back up or a flex option, Moore is a legit sleeper in PPR leagues.
Jamison Crowder, Redskins: Crowder isn’t really a sleeper but he will be available in rounds 10-20 and offers flex potential. Crowder has averaged 64 catches per season in his career thus far but he could easily catch 80 to 85 balls this season.
Tavon Austin, Cowboys: The Cowboys have been saying all the right things about Austin and how they plan on using him. I am intrigued and willing to buy in.
Zay Jones, Bills: Jones had a disappointing rookie season but with more consistent quarterback play, he could meet his potential as the primary possession receiver for the Bills this season.
Cooper Kupp, Rams: Kupp will benefit from playing opposite Brandin Cooks this season. Cooks will command attention because of his speed. That means more double coverage for him and more single coverage for Kupp. Kupp has the hands and the route running ability to be a PPR producer.
Tight Ends
David Njoku, Browns: Njoku has been very impressive thus far in Browns camp and looks like a TE1. I like his upside and potential in PPR leagues. I am going to preach caution however. Njoku has a lot of upside but I would only draft him as a TE1 in 12 team leagues, not 10 team leagues.
*Hayden Hurst, Ravens: I think Hurst will play a major role in the Ravens passing game and is worthy of drafting as a TE2. By the end of the season, he could be a TE1, especially in 12 team leagues.
Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, Jaguars:The Jaguars want to run the football and push it down the field vertically in the play-action passing game. That is where Jenkins comes in. He could be a top five tight end statistically by the end of the season because of the targets that will come his way. Especially in the red zone.
O.J Howard, Bucs: Howard will bounce back despite the fact that he will be playing without Jameis Winston the first two weeks of the season. Howard is long, athletic and a match advantage in the red zone. I like him a lot in 12 team PPR leagues.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Cardinals: The converted receiver teased us a little bit at the end of last season with a strong three game stretch. Seals-Jones only scratched the surface. Now he is playing with a new quarterback in either Sam Bradford or Josh Rosen. Regardless of who the quarterback is, Seals-Jones will be a security blanket. Expect RSJ to get targets in all areas of the field and be a viable PPR option.