Lovi's League Winners: Aug. 11, 2021
Bounce-back candidates, Daily draft sleeper, Start of mailbag Fridays
We’ve all been there…
A player we draft in the early rounds who is guaranteed to be a weekly starter and dominate performer on our team, just flat out busts. Sometimes it’s due to injuries, sometimes it’s due to game script. Either way, when one of your early-round picks is better suited for your bench, it’s a hard deficit to overcome.
Here are four players who had disappointing 2020 campaigns (based on where they were drafted), that I believe can rebound and have a major positive impact on fantasy teams.
Joe Mixon - RB - Cincinnati Bengals
This is an easy one. Mixon played only six games last season but was never put on the IR. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor kept playing with our fantasy football emotions by saying Mixon was week-to-week, and then never playing him.
I am confident his round two ADP will pay off this year for those willing to give him another chance. And don’t forget that Giovani Bernard, who spent his first eight seasons with the Bengals, is now in Tampa Bay, clearing the way for even more touches for Mixon.
Recently, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said this about Mixon:
“The expectations are high for Joe, as I’ve said before, to be on the field quite a bit. Obviously, he can’t play every snap of every game, but he has the ability and the skill set to be a three-down player.
My prediction: 285 rushing attempts, 1270 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 40 receptions, 304 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - RB - Kansas City Chiefs
Many drafted CEH in the early second round last year with high expectations for the rookie. He did get hurt and missed three games, but didn’t look spectacular in the 13 games he did play, especially when Le’Veon Bell joined the fold in the second half of the season.
Edwards-Helaire scored only four rushing touchdowns on 181 attempts, meaning he scored every 45.25 carries. In the high-powered Chiefs offense, that number is bound to go up. It just has to, right?
Bell is gone and so is Damien Williams. Darrel Williams will get some opportunities but not enough to take away from CEH. If he remains healthy, I believe Edwards-Helaire will make a tremendous jump in his sophomore year.
My prediction: 235 rushing attempts, 1020 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, 52 receptions, 396 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns
Odell Beckham Jr. - WR - Cleveland Browns
It’s very unlikely we see OBJ return to his superstar form, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a productive player both for the Browns and for fantasy teams.
Last year Beckham Jr. played in only seven games, missing more than half the season due to injury. His first year in Cleveland wasn’t exceptional either, for OBJ standards. He recorded 1035 receiving yards on 74 receptions and only four touchdowns. We’re used to seeing OBJ scored double-digit touchdowns.
This year with drafting OBJ, ADP is everything. The veteran WR is being drafted around the seventh round, and if he plays even a smidgen to his potential, his value will be sky high compared to the draft capital invested in him.
If he stays healthy, I can easily see OBJ putting up consistent WR3 or even borderline WR2 numbers, which is a steal that late in the draft.
My prediction: 80 receptions, 1180 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns
Chris Godwin - WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Godwin came down to earth last year after his breakout 2019 season. His 86 receptions dropped to 65 catches. His 1333 receiving yards and nine touchdowns fell to 840 yards and seven scores.
There is certainly a bevy of talent on the Buccaneers offense with Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard is poised to return too. But Godwin is special. His speed, route-running ability, and sure hands make him one of the most exciting wideouts in the league.
Last year was Tom Brady’s first with Tampa Bay and there was little time to build rapport with his receivers due to the pandemic. With a full training camp under his belt this time around, I believe his connection with all his WRs, including Godwin, will be much improved.
To get Godwin at the beginning of the fourth round, which is where his ADP has been in recent weeks, could be a league-winning move.
My prediction: 86 receptions, 1210 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns
With the majority of fantasy drafts firing up at the end of this month, each of my columns for the month will include a Daily Draft Sleeper.
To qualify as one of my draft sleepers, a player’s ADP (average draft position) must be later than Round 10. That’s it!
New England Patriots WR: Nelson Agholor
Based on last season, Agholor should not be a sleeper this year. But alas, the former Philadelphia Eagle and Las Vegas Raider is usually being selected after round 12, sometimes even going undrafted.
Is he going to be a weekly starter? Doubtful. But will he be a solid bench player who you can plug in for certain matchups and utilize during bye weeks? Absolutely.
Reports out of training camp are clearly stating that Agholor is the go-to guy on the outside, with little to no other weapons in the Patriots’ arsenal. He has been the first go to show up to practice on most days, according to beat reporters.
All signs are pointing to a productive season for Agholor.
On Fridays moving forward through the entirety of the season, I will answer your specific questions about your team or any general question you may have.
Please email your fantasy football questions to lovidanny@gmail.com and tune in Friday mornings to see your questions answered!