Austin Ekeler (Creative Commons: All-Pro Reels)
I have to admit that I haven’t been successful in fantasy football. And like all losers, I’ll say injuries were the problem. But, having said that, poor choices have also been a major factor. It seems that the big play WR is more of a weapon than the pass catching running back. The draft for my keeper league is Monday night. In our keeper league, we have to keep at least five players. including one rookie.
As it stands, I have some good, though not great WRs, a rookie QB, and one of those RBs who has had a change of address, Saquon Barkley. More on that in a little bit. As of now, here are my five starters:
2: C.J. Stroud
3: D.J. Moore
4: Drake London
Running backs on the move
Barkley moves from the New York Giants to the Philadelphia Eagles. While he was definitely the centerpiece for the Giants’ offense, the lack of it almost got him killed. While he might have to share the ball with more talented teammates in Philadelphia, it should be a net plus for his fantasy production.
In the meantime, D’Andre Swift was signed by the Bears as a free agent after spending the 2023 season with the Eagles. He figures to be the Bears’ top back and may see three down action. He’s somebody I’d like to trade for.
Austin Ekeler has been a fantasy football dynamo, in large part by catching tons of swing passes from Justin Herbert. His new address in Washington will probably tone that production down. Ekeler will also have to share part of the workload with Brian Robinson Jr. Ekeler looks more like a mid-round pick in our 12-team league.
Aaron Jones has been a great fantasy player in view of his running and passing catching ability with the Packers, but the move to the Vikings and working with rookie QB, J. J. McCarthy might hurt him this season.
Derrick Henry takes his battering ram like skills to the Ravens. Some guys are higher on his fantasy value than I am. I think he will share carries and won’t catch enough passes to be elite.
One running back I would keep my eye on is the Giants Devin Singletary. Singletary ran for 898 yards last season but caught only 30 passes for 193 yards. I think he can do better on both fronts.
And with the third pick of this fantasy draft, I take…
Actually, it’s entirely dependent on the first two picks. Our league puts a premium on rookies. Big play rookies especially. To me, the top three picks in our draft will be Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. I’ll be very happy if Odunze is there for me.
In the near future, I’ll look for potential sleepers in this year’s fantasy draft.
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