Before we get started with this week’s usual column, those of you who play daily fantasy are probably aware of a recent issue involving daily fantasy sports sites FanDuel and DraftKings. Washington wide receiver Pierre Garcon is suing FanDuel for using his name, image, and likeness without his permission. There was also recently an issue where a DraftKings employee accidentally released data before week three, and then won $350,000 on FanDuel. The employee has been accused using his insider information to gain an unfair advantage. This situation is definitely worth monitoring as it continues to develop.
Now that we are through eight weeks of NFL football, it seems like a good time to take a look at how certain players have been performing relative to preseason expectations. This week’s column will take a look at a few players who have exceeded expectations, and a few more who have greatly fallen short of them.
Players who have pleasantly surprised:
Devonta Freeman (RB), Atlanta Falcons- Who has been the best fantasy running back this year in ESPN standard leagues? Adrian Peterson? Le’veon Bell? Jamaal Charles? Eddie Lacy? Nope, it’s Freeman, making him easily the biggest draft bargain of the fantasy season so far. The Florida State grad was drafted 112.6th on average in ESPN fantasy drafts. He has rushed for 709 yards on 152 carries and has nine rushing touchdowns, while catching 40 passes on 52 targets for 353 yards and touchdown. All this adds up to him having 159 fantasy points on the season.
Carson Palmer (QB), Arizona Cardinals- Palmer, who was taken with the 116th pick on average in ESPN drafts, is the third best fantasy quarterback in ESPN standard leagues thus far, behind only Tom Brady and Philip Rivers. The Cardinal’s signal caller has completed 168 of 260 passing attempts on the season for 2,386 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Palmer has 161 fantasy points on the season.
Julian Edelman (WR), New England Patriots- Tom Brady’s favorite target not named Rob Gronkowski was drafted with the 39.6th pick on average in ESPN leagues. Edelman has been the 5th best wide receiver in standard leagues through eight weeks, racking up 52 catches on 75 targets for 58 yards, six touchdowns, and 93 fantasy points. That production has him ahead of the likes of Antonio Brown, Randall Cobb, AJ Green, TY Hilton, etc.
Not so pleasant surprises:
Andrew Luck (QB), Indianapolis Colts- Luck was drafted 17th on average in ESPN leagues, and was the second quarterback off the board on average, and was expected by many to be the best fantasy QB this year. Safe to say he has not lived up to expectations so far. Luck is the 20th ranked quarterback in ESPN standard leagues, completing 141 of 257 passing attempts for 1,629 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Probably not what you were expecting if you used a first or second round pick on the Colts’ signal caller.
Eddie Lacy (RB), Green Bay Packers- Lacy has been one of the biggest disappointments of the season so far. The Packers’ starting running back was drafted with the 4.9th pick on average, but has definitely not justified this position so far. Lacy ranks 41st among running backs in ESPN standard leagues, rushing for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns on 78 carries, while catching 10 passes for 92 yards on 14 targets for a total of 44 fantasy points.
Jordan Matthews (WR), Philadelphia Eagles- Expected to play an important and productive role in Chip Kelly’s offense, Matthews was drafted with the 43.1st pick on average. That expected production for Matthews has definitely not come so far. He ranks 49th among wide receivers with 39 catches on 63 targets (can you say drop prone?) for 398 yards, a touchdown, and 41 fantasy points.