The fantasy football season is quickly approaching. Many players get hyped up before the NFL season starts, and are selected early in fantasy drafts. This article will entail the players I believe you should let your leaguemates reach for.
Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley is a freak athlete. He has elite explosiveness, vision, and is a threat in the passing game. He can do it all. So what’s the issue? In 2020, Barkley suffered an ACL tear that ended his season after just two games. The Giants seem to be slowly working Barkley back into the offense. I’m not confident he will get a full workload at the start of the season. In fantasy football, you need your best players available every week.
So far, after mocks and being a part of multiple drafts, Barkley is taken in the top five by a ton of fantasy football managers. With a top five pick in the draft, there’s other great running backs available. You want to take a player with as little risk as possible. Also, the Giants’ offensive line remains a problem heading into the 2021 season. Let your leaguemates draft Barkley, he shouldn’t be taken in the top five!
Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas had a disappointing 2020. He suffered a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for the majority of the season. Already, it seems like he will be having another disappointing year. In the offseason, Thomas decided to rehab his ankle on his own. Instead of checking in on what the Saints recommended him do, Thomas neglected to stay in contact with anyone from the team for three months. He finally showed up at the facility with the ankle still injured. Months later, he decided to finally get surgery on his ankle.
The timetable for Thomas’ rehab is 12 to 16 weeks. His current ADP is 87th overall, according to ESPN, which is the 32nd receiver off the board. There is no reason anyone should take Michael Thomas in their draft. Don’t find injuries in fantasy football, because they will find you.
Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert has plenty of red flags heading into the 2021 NFL season. Entering his age 29 season, Mostert has never topped 137 touches in a season. He’s also never topped 16 receptions in an NFL season. Mostert has only started in nine games once in six NFL seasons.
All of the above are reasons why you should fade Raheem Mostert in your fantasy football draft. He has a long injury history, being unable to prove he can stay on the field. The 49ers also drafted Trey Sermon in the 3rd round of this year’s draft. Sermon’s reviews are great in camp so far.
Mostert’s injury risk is incredibly high, and Sermon can take his job at any point. Raheem Mostert’s goal line opportunities in 2021 are likely gone after bringing in bigger backs this offseason. Fade Mostert in your drafts.
Odell Beckham Jr.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Odell Beckham hasn’t been a relevant fantasy football option since he finished 15th at his position in 2018. In 2019, while playing in all 16 games, he finished as the 25th ranked receiver in PPR and 30th in standard. Last season Beckham only played in seven games after suffering an ACL tear. His injury history is longer than a dollar store receipt.
- 2020– ACL tear, week 7, missed 10 games
- 2019– Sports hernia, preseason(had surgery 2-3 month recovery)
- 2018– Quad contusion, week 13, missed 4 games
- 2017– Fibula fracture, week 5(had surgery, out 3-4 months), missed 11 games
- 2017– High ankle sprain, preseason, missed 1 game
OBJ is currently going as the 26th receiver in fantasy football drafts. That is too high of a spot for anyone to take him at in my opinion. Entering his age 29 season, Odell Beckham is a walking injury waiting to happen and there’s a high probability he’s not on the Browns’ roster next season. Let your friends draft him. He is not worth the risk.
Miles Sanders
Miles Sanders was a letdown in 2020. He finished the season as the 24th ranked running back in PPR, and 22nd in standard. Currently, Sanders is drafted as the RB17. Players like Josh Jacobs, Chris Carson, J.K. Dobbins, and Darrell Henderson should be taken higher than Miles Sanders, but currently have lower ADPs.
Sanders also has a drop issue. During the 2020 NFL season, Sanders had seven dropped passes and four fumbles in 12 games. So far in training camp the issue is still there. With a new coaching staff, Sanders might not have as much leeway in 2021. If he continues to struggle with ball security, the Eagles have plenty of running backs on their roster to replace Sanders. Miles Sanders has to perform at a top level this season to justify his current ADP. There’s just too much risk surrounding him to take him that early.
