NFL and Fantasy perspectives.
Indianapolis:Andrew Luck finished as the fifth Fantasy QB in ESPN standard scoring, and after a major comeback season, he could be the second player at his position off the board in yearly Fantasy drafts. He is a top keeper candidate in six-point TD pass leagues and if the Colts stock up more in the passing game this offseason, his Best Ball profile should be raised to supreme top-level status as well. T.Y. Hilton admirably played very well through injuries and Luck did a good job spreading the ball around to his secondary receivers, but there is a sense that having another significant playmaker at WR could make the offense even more dangerous. Adam Humphries is one of the most alluring free agent WRs out there this offseason and could be a very nice fit. Dontrelle Inman is an unrestricted free agent. He came on late in the year, but Indianapolis could use a pass-catcher that commands even more defensive respect and the Colts already have less-heralded WR types who could step in for Inman if he leaves. Eric Ebron will remain a prime TD force even as Jack Doyle returns, as Ebron seemed to be the preferred red zone target when the two briefly played together. In 12 games, Marlon Mack rushed for 908 yards and nine TDs and seems set to be drafted as a high-end RB2 next year. Nyheim Hines can be a viable pass-catching complement, but his role in the offense does not seem to be set on a consistent basis. How he fares may be more dependent on game flow and game plan. He’s more of a Best Ball depth target, because he is too unreliable at this point even as a seasonal bench player. What is very interesting here is the Colts head into the offseason with the most free cap space in the league. There have been suggestions about them going after Le’Veon Bell, but Mack was impressive and there is not a true need for a RB here. Longtime Colts beat writer Mike Chappell recently indicated that he does not anticipate such a major acquisition happening.
Bell is a great talent, but I’d be surprised if Chris Ballard would pay market value for him. Kick the tires, talk it over internally? Sure. Pony up mega $$$s for a RB? Just don’t see it. https://t.co/Hz8MX32Mhp
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) December 21, 2018
Kansas City: For the first time since Week 5, and just the second time this season, Patrick Mahomes did not throw a TD pass in a game in the Divisional Round win over the Colts. In Week 6 at New England, Mahomes threw for 352 yards and four TDs but was also intercepted twice. In just his second playoff game, against Bill Belichick, Mahomes could be a turnover risk this week. Kansas City has lost four of six postseason games against playoff teams this year and it is very possible that the Patriots could make Mahomes more uncomfortable than he has been at any point this season. But New England does have multiple weapons to deal with defensively, including Damien Williams, who totaled 154 yards from scrimmage last week. There are already questions among seasonal Fantasy players whether Williams will be Kansas City’s clear RB1 heading into next year. At this point, he certainly looks like he has earned a strong shot to keep the job, although we will have to wait and see how the Chiefs proceed during the offseason. At 5-11, 224 pounds with versatility and speed, Williams is looking like an enticing lower-rung RB1 for 2019 right now. His lack of extensive proven success will bump him behind some other superstar RBs.
Dallas:Ezekiel Elliott will be one of the Top 3 RBs off the board next season after his most prolific campaign ever as a pass-catcher. In 11 games including the postseason, Amari Cooper caught eight TD passes and is profiling as a high-end WR2 for 2019 drafts. Michael Gallup stepped forward in impressive fashion during the postseason, catching a TD pass against Seattle and setting season-best marks in receptions (six) and receiving yards (119) at Los Angeles. Elevating his game during the playoffs is a major sign that Gallup can be ready to raise the overall level of his performance in 2019. He played his best this year when the lights were the brightest. Gallup is looking like a WR3 type with upside for 2019. Cole Beasley is headed to free agency and Dallas may also choose to bring in another notable pass-catcher. If the Cowboys decide that Blake Jarwin is not quite the singular answer at TE, free agent Jared Cook could be a very good fit as a big target for Dak Prescott, especially in the red zone, where Dallas had their issues this year.
L.A. Rams: The big Fantasy question here now is how long this new time share between Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson will last. It worked ideally Sunday as Gurley was finally returning from a knee injury. It may be employed against the Saints, because whenever an NFL team can attack a defense with two distinctive RBs and keep both of them fresh, it can provide an advantage over the opponent. So look for more of Anderson this week, but Gurley is still a superstar talent who can produce fine numbers even with some lessened touches. How this may play out next season will have to be answered after the playoffs.
L.A. Chargers:Philip Rivers still has yet to prove he can win when it counts most. He is now 5-6 in his career in the postseason, with four of those wins coming in the Wild Card Round and one trip to the AFC Title game in 2007. There are no major gaping holes to fill around him, but possibly acquiring a big-difference-maker on either side of the ball could be what finally pushes the Chargers over the postseason hump. Mike Williams is set for a big Year Three in 2019 as a Fantasy WR3 with WR2 potential. Keenan Allen was not highly productive enough down the regular season stretch run and in the postseason to truly consider a Fantasy WR1. The Chargers could be a team that conceivably would pursue an Earl Thomas type, as one more superstar on either side of the ball may be the answer. It’s fun to envision Antonio Brown here as that added piece, but Los Angeles does not have a great amount of cap space and the Steelers may not want to trade him to another top AFC contender.
New England: As hoped and projected, James White re-emerged as a key piece of the offense against the Chargers with 15 receptions. If Kansas City brings a strong pass rush again, New England has safe targets such as White, Rex Burkhead and Edelman to catch quick hitters from Tom Brady. But if this becomes a game where Brady has to play from behind, he lacks the significant downfield playmakers to trade every offensive punch with Mahomes. New England could be a good landing spot for free agents such as John Brown and Tyrell Williams. Both are overrated Fantasy commodities who could actually be more relevant in Foxboro.
Philadelphia: Fantasy players will watch the RB situation closely during the offseason, as the Eagles desperately need to fill the hole in their backfield. The Eagles do not have too much cap space to play with, and they may choose to move on from Jay Ajayi. By officially parting with Nick Foles and some other notable names as indicated by WIP Sports Radio, Philadelphia could clear up some room to go after guys like Tevin Coleman, who makes sense as a lead runner in a continued committee. Mark Ingram would be an ideal fit, and if Alabama RB Josh Jacobs is there in the first round at No. 25, he would be very suitable to bolster the offense. But Doug Pederson may choose to employ a variety of RBs again, and simply elect to pursue someone else to lead a duo or trio. Mike Davis, set to hit free agency and possibly leave Seattle, is an under-the-radar type who could be an offseason gem. He has the potential to play well somewhere else in an increased role and may have Fantasy sleeper potential for next year.
New Orleans: Ingram is a free agent, and if the Saints win the Super Bowl, he may be considered even more attractive on the open market. He is 29 years old, but has not been a full-time runner consistently throughout his career, so his age may not be a huge deterrent to potential suitors. It seems logical for him to land a nice payday and an expanded role elsewhere. The Jets have the cap room and the need for a guy like Ingram. Tampa Bay needs to clear more room but would be another good spot to land. Ingram could be looking at a boost in Fantasy appeal for 2019.
