Breakout candidates, standout players and shoutouts to the best team names
— -- In a culture of 140 characters, swipe right, snaps with dog faces and whatever the hell chasing an imaginary Pokemon is called, we have increasingly become a country of people who have short attention spans. It's why there is probably nothing more popular than lists. Well, maybe Taylor Swift. A list of favorite Taylor Swift photos might actually break the internet.
And so, with America's love of lists in mind, we once again bring back an annual tradition in time for drafts. What follows now are 10 different lists ... of 10.
List 1: 10 players who are not being drafted as starters (outside top 10 at QB and TE, outside top 20 at RB and WR), but who will break out and be drafted at least three rounds earlier next year.
1. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins: So-so defense, no running game, aggressive play calling, just improved the offensive line and one of the most talented corps of skill players around.
2. Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills: Actually broke out last season, just no one realizes it. Big arm, big legs and a legit top-tier wideout.
3. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fantasy-friendly offense, talented skill players around him, one of only three rookies to throw for 4,000 yards. The other two, Andrew Luck and Cam Newton, were both top-five fantasy QBs in their second season.
4. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans: Spare me the Alabama RB narrative and just take a look at the best RB on a Titans team that wants to run, run, run.
5. Paul Perkins, New York Giants: I love pairing him with Rashad Jennings, as both will come cheaply, and combined you'll have a legit RB2 on a high-scoring offense.
6. Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions: Post-hype sleeper, the skills are still there and now the offense will actually run the way it's supposed to.
7. Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings: Everyone wants to talk about Laquon Treadwell, but give me Diggs, who showed he has elite ability in a small sample size last season. The speedster enters the year as the No. 1 wideout on a team that will now play its home games indoors.
8. Travis Benjamin, San Diego Chargers: More for standard than PPR, but now with a real QB and a consistent role, Benjamin becomes a weekly big play waiting to happen.
9. Zach Miller, Chicago Bears: Finally has the full-time opportunity and the quarterback to take advantage of his 6-foot-5 frame and good hands.
10. Virgil Green, Denver Broncos: Tight ends with less skills have been nice fantasy assets in Gary Kubiak's offense before.
List 2: 10 leftover stats from my "100 facts" column
1. There's a lot of talk about a regression coming for Cam Newton's rushing last season, especially his 10 rushing touchdowns. Fair enough. His arm worked pretty well, too.
Aaron Rodgers last season: 3,821 yards, 31 TDs and 8 INTs.
Cam Newton last season: 3,837 passing yards, 35 TDs and 10 INTs.
2. In the past five seasons, there have been only three instances in the NFL where a QB has thrown 600 passes, completed at least 66 percent of them, but FAILED to throw at least 29 touchdowns:
Matt Ryan, 2013
Matt Ryan, 2014
Matt Ryan, 2015
3. Derek Carr threw multiple touchdown passes in 11 of the 14 games in which he attempted more than 25 passes last season. The average top-five quarterback (Newton, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Blake Bortles, and Carson Palmer) had 9.8 such games last season. Rodgers, the No. 1 QB in 2014, had eight such games.
4. In his past eight games, Kamar Aiken has caught 50 passes on 83 targets for 611 yards and three touchdowns despite playing with four quarterbacks. If you project all of those numbers for a 16-game season: 100 catches (on 166 targets) for 1,222 yards and six touchdowns, or 158 fantasy points in ESPN standard scoring. That would have ranked him 13th at the position last season. The Ravens led the NFL in pass attempts in 2015. Along with Aiken, other wide receivers on the Ravens include 37-year-old Steve Smith Sr., inexperienced Breshad Perriman, who is returning from injury, and Mike Wallace, who is on his third team in as many years. Aiken is currently going as WR58, in the 14th round of ESPN drafts.
5. In the seven games Vance McDonald and Blaine Gabbert played together last season, McDonald was the 11th-best tight end in fantasy. His 16-game pace with Gabbert as QB: 48 catches, 599 yards and seven touchdowns.
5a. Last season, Richard Rodgers was TE9 with 58 catches, 526 yards and 8 touchdowns.
6. Larry Fitzgerald was the leading fantasy WR on the Cardinals in three games in 2015.
6a. Michael Floyd was the leading fantasy WR on the Cardinals in four games in 2015.
6b. John Brown was the leading fantasy WR on the Cardinals in nine games in 2015. Brown is currently being drafted after Floyd and Fitzgerald.
7. Since entering the league in 2011, only Calvin Johnson has more receptions AND averages more yards per reception than A.J. Green.
8. There has been only one season in which a tight end eclipsed the 215 fantasy point plateau. It was Rob Gronkowski in 2011.
8a. That same year, teammate Aaron Hernandez was TE3 with 127 points in ESPN standard scoring.
9. Last season, Thomas Rawls ranked 33rd in carries. He was tied for eighth in carries gaining 20-plus yards.
10. In the 15 games Jameis Winston and Mike Evans played together last season, Evans was responsible for 25 percent of Winston's completions and 29.3 percent of his targets.
10a. Players responsible for less than 25 percent of their team's completions in 2015 included Doug Baldwin (23.4 percent), Allen Robinson (22.5 percent), Jordan Reed (22.5 percent).
10b. Players responsible for less than 29.3 percent of their team's targets in 2015 included Brandon Marshall (29.0 percent), Jarvis Landry (28.7 percent), A.J. Green (26.8 percent) and Larry Fitzgerald (26.3 percent).
10c. Even with a missed game, Evans ranked seventh in target percentage and 13th in reception percentage.
List 3: 10 rookies I would draft, in order, in a dynasty league
1. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
2. Josh Doctson, WR, Washington Redskins
3. Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants
4. Corey Coleman, WR, Cleveland Browns
5. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Minnesota Vikings
6. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
8. Devontae Booker, RB, Denver Broncos
9. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
10. Leonte Carroo, WR, Miami Dolphins
List 4: 10 best fantasy football team names (that I can print!)
As always, way too many submissions to make them all into the column. There were thousands (yes, thousands) of submissions on Facebook and Twitter, but I can tell you that Zach Ertz, Tyler Eifert, Stefon Diggs, Harambe the gorilla, J.J. Watt, Isaiah Pead, Todd Gurley and Michael Vick were popular choices. Just assume if you have one of them in your team name, you are one of many, many people with the same joke.
1. Dak in a Box -- many
2. The Zeke-A-Virus -- Charethcutestory on FantasyLife app
3. A Team Has No Name -- many
4. Hooked on a Thielen -- Papa Stone on Facebook
5. Schweddy Rawls -- @markacollins
6. Teamy McTeamface -- @billkuennen
7. Bortlestar Gallactica -- Therron Hamaker on Facebook
8. Get me to the Zeke -- @Serrano1677
9. Swim Shady (complete with Ryan Lochte avatar) -- Brett Duvall on Facebook
10. You're my Boyd, Alfred Blue -- Brian Faulkner on Facebook
List 5: 10 players whose stock has risen the past few weeks and need to be on your radar
1. Kenjon Barner, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Now the No. 2 RB in Philly, he needs to be on your radar, especially given Ryan Mathews' injury history and the reports that Wendell Smallwood is struggling with pass protection.
2. Rob Kelley, RB, Washington Redskins: At least for the moment, the undrafted free agent appears to have passed Keith Marshall on the depth chart to be the No. 2 behind Matt Jones. I still expect Washington to sign a veteran, but so far the former Tulane star is the handcuff to Jones, who has struggled with injuries in the past and is currently out for the rest of the preseason.
3. Christine Michael, RB, Seattle Seahawks: I mentioned this in my piece about what I learned at the fantasy marathon, but Louis Riddick (whom I have tremendous respect for) says he has seen "a light go on for Michael." Always super-talented, Michael has been slow to transition to the pro level, but now seems to be adjusting and looks great. He will have a role in Seattle's offense this season.
4. Terrance West, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Having a great camp and preseason, West has definitely carved out a role for himself on the Ravens, and there's a decent chance he's starting for them at some point this season.
5. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals are already using the talented rookie all over the field, there are 153 targets that need to be replaced, and sorry, but I am not a Brandon LaFell or Brandon Tate believer.
6. Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans: The rookie is already running with the ones, and the targets can't all go to Delanie Walker. Yes, the Titans will run, but not on every play. There's not a ton of competition and Sharpe impresses every time he is on the field.
7. Robert Griffin III, QB, Cleveland Browns: OK, you know about him, but you probably haven't considered him. He's 25th among QBs in ADP, but he should be on your radar late in drafts. He's got a cannon for an arm, he's fast as hell, has a smart, offense-minded coach, a bad defense and a load of wide receivers. RG III looked good in Week 2 of the preseason and he certainly has the weapons around him to be a fantasy starter this season.
8. Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans: With Jaelen Strong and Braxton Miller, among others, around, there's definite competition for playing time next to DeAndre Hopkins, but the speedy Fuller is making a strong case so far this preseason.
9. Malcolm Mitchell, WR, New England Patriots: Anyone who gets on the field with Tom Brady is a candidate to have value, and though Mitchell is banged up now, they like him a lot in Foxborough. Don't be surprised if he carves out a Brandon LaFell-in-2014 sort of role with the team.
10. Tyrell Williams, WR, San Diego Chargers: As much as I love Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin, Williams is currently No. 3 on a team that will have a good offense and has two players ahead of him who are coming off injury or are currently banged up.
Bonus name: Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings: More for deeper leagues and/or keeper leagues, because you know I am a Diggs guy and ultimately, Minnesota is a run-first team and Treadwell will obviously be a part of what they want to do in the passing game. But a guy to have in the back of your mind is Thielen, who has done everything right this preseason.
List 6: 10 RBs going in the 10th round or later that I like, per ESPN.com ADP
1. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans: See List 1. That's a man, son. A MAN.
2. Chris Ivory, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags back you want. He's going to be the goal-line back on one of the league's better offenses.
3. Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins: Do you think Arian Foster plays all 16 games? Yeah, me neither.
4. Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns: Better than you think, and though Duke Johnson Jr. will be involved, Crowell will be the thumper for Hue Jackson, whose teams have always run well in every stop he has made.
5. Paul Perkins, New York Giants: See List 1.
6. DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders: The hate might have gone too far on Latavius Murray, but it doesn't mean everything is perfect, either.
7. Alfred Morris, Dallas Cowboys: A must-own for any Ezekiel Elliott owner, Morris is one hammy injury away from being a top-five fantasy running back.
8. Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens: Yes, there's competition with Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon (both of whom I like) and yes, Forsett is 31 and coming off an injury, but ... he's going in the 12th round! He's a starting RB on a good offense who is not far removed from being a very strong fantasy RB.
9. Zach Zenner, Detroit Lions: I'm high on the whole Lions offense and he has a good shot to be their goal-line back.
10. Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks: See List 5. What can I say? I assume you skim some of this stuff. If you need another name, give me Devontae Booker.
List 7: 10 more of the best fantasy team names (that I can print)
Donald Trump's campaign slogan was a popular source of inspiration. Many people submitted "Make Fantasy Great Again." Others went the player route, as I saw "Make America Brate again," "Make America Gronk again" and my personal favorite, "Make Amari-Carr Great Again."
Also, many folks use references to the show "The League," which is great, it was a hilarious show. But just know everyone uses it.
1. Fat Bottomed Gurleys -- Todd Kaufman on Facebook
2. Gronkemon Go -- Eric Johnson on Facebook
3. Turn your Woodhead and Goff -- Nsuter9 on FantasyLife App
4. The Should've Starteds -- Steve Slocomb on Facebook
5. Zeke and Destroy -- many
6. You ignorant punt -- @dezpicabled on Twitter
7. Tunsil Hockey -- @devin_quinlan
8. Dak that pass up -- Dave Smads on Facebook
9. Hit 'em in the Hein! -- @siriusjay among many
10. The Hurns Betrayal -- Scott Clark on Facebook. #06010
List 8: 10 interesting stats that are written in a totally gimmicky, by-the-numbers sort of way just to amuse myself
1 -- The number of running backs who have at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage and at least eight touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. His name? Lamar Miller. Honestly, I sandbagged those thresholds. Miller has totaled at least 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. As long as we are on the topic of Miller: Only one other back has scored at least nine times in each of the past two seasons ( Jeremy Hill) and only two others have totaled 1,200 yards from scrimmage in each of the past two years ( Matt Forte and Frank Gore).
2 -- The number of players from 2001 to 2014 who received at least 145 targets in a season and still finished with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards. In 2015, Michael Crabtree did it.
3 -- Number of consecutive seasons Russell Wilson has ranked as a top-10 fantasy quarterback, giving him the second-longest active streak in the league ... after Drew Brees' 12 straight.
4 -- Zach Miller's rank among tight ends in yards per catch last season, trailing only Rob Gronkowski, Greg Olsen and Gary Barnidge.
5 -- The number of quarterbacks (Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Andy Dalton, Russell Wilson and Drew Brees) who averaged more yards per dropback than Kirk Cousins last season.
6 -- Number of tight ends who finished inside the top 50 flex players (RB/WR/TE) in fantasy points last season. The standard 10-team league requires 20 starting RBs, 20 starting WRs and 10 starting flex players. It's not insane, if your draft board leads you there, to consider drafting two of the premier tight ends and using one as your flex option.
7 -- The number of running backs who had 10 or more total touchdowns last season. We saw an average of 10.6 running backs do so during the previous 10 seasons.
8 -- Since 2011, the number of receivers with more total fantasy points than Jordy Nelson, and Nelson has missed 20 games in that span.
9 -- Number of tight ends who have more receiving yards than Coby Fleener since he entered the league in 2012. For the record, only seven of those nine have more touchdowns.
10 -- Percentage of Danny Woodhead's carries that came in goal-to-go situations (OK, so it was 9.8 percent, but whatevs, that rounds up to 10 percent). Devonta Freeman led the league in total goal-to-go rushes (but only 8.7 percent of his carries). And though Jeremy Hill is thought of as a goal-line specialist, only 7.6 percent of his carries came in those situations.
List 9: 10 players who appear on my roster the most from all the mock drafts I have done so far
1. Brandin Cooks
2. C.J. Anderson
3. Lamar Miller
4. Donte Moncrief
5. Tom Brady
6. DeVante Parker
7. Frank Gore
8. Zach Ertz
9. Zach Miller
10. Handcuff to whomever my No. 1 running back is
List 10: 10 more team names
1. Wentz, Twice, Fee Times a Mady (complete with Eddie Murphy as Buckwheat avatar) -- @deadpanmoney
2. Professor No Fumbledore -- @twotakejake
3. Breakin' 2: Leonte Carroo -- @panpipeninja
4. Mr. Steal Your Gurley -- @chipj5
5. Gronkodile Dundee -- @OMGitsOFS
6. Wentzylvania -- @worbyrob
7. The Steve Smithsonian Institution -- @oldskoolcoach
8. Welcome Back, Cooter -- twindaddy55 on FantasyLife app
9. Shoulda listened to Matthew Berry -- Erik n Abby Guttormston on Facebook
10. Don't take advice from Matthew Berry -- Nick Spindola on Facebook
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