Fantasy - Five to Target, Five to Avoid

In today's NFL, we are seeing some players not being able to stay consistent. Whether it's due to injury, their team, or maybe they just had a bum year, it is infuriating for fantasy owners to expect a huge payload from someone that doesn't deliver. This article hopes to give some insight into what to expect in the 2015 season. I will be addressing two sets of players, those that fantasy owners should avoid, and those that may have struggled in 2014, but should bounce back and prove to be better this season. With the explanation aside, let's delve into it.

Who to avoid:

Julius Thomas: Julius Thomas did well in 2013 under Peyton Manning. He was the go to tight end, even in their two tight end sets. He had quite a dip in yardage come 2014, with Manning ignoring him in some games, however, he was a solid TE choice for fantasy if only for his touchdowns. With his signing to Jacksonville, I don't see him coming anywhere close to his TD total for 2015. Blake Bortles is in his second year and still needs to improve. Couple that with a weak line and few weapons, either in the back field or receivers, Thomas may not be getting fed as much as he was from Manning. While Thomas may match his yardage, which was low for 2014, he won't be a solid weekly TE in the fantasy world.

Dez Bryant: For the record, I cannot stand Dez Bryant. While he did have a great year last year, I have a sneaking suspicion that this year, he will struggle. Bryant's attitude has become increasingly worse throughout his career, and that will play a part in how he does this year. Tony Romo doesn't look like he used to, and I think with his injury last year, we are seeing a man who maybe cannot put the balls where only Bryant can reach. Also, without DeMarco Murray, Bryant may not have defenses opening up, since Dallas' run game will be weaker. Combine all those issues with a defensive heavy schedule (with the likes of the Bills, the Seahawks, the Eagles twice) we may see Bryant doesn't chalk up as many points as owners would hope.

San Francisco: I'm aware, this isn't a player, however, defense plays its role in fantasy football. The SF defense is a shell of what it used to be. With the departure of quite a few defensive players (albeit not all key players), expect the once solid fantasy defense to have holes in it. Under a new coach, SF may struggle a little, especially against a few of the high offense teams that it needs to contend with in 2015.

DeMarco Murray: While DeMarco Murray isn't necessarily a player that you should avoid, just be weary that he will have different challenges this year. Murray is coming off of his best year in the NFL, however, he now needs to contend with a new coach, a new system, and a new line. Sadly, the Eagles front five aren't Dallas. Throw into the mix two other running backs that can stand on their own and Murray suddenly will start splitting runs in games. Unlike in Dallas, he won't be the only one touching the ball, even if he is the number one back. Expect Murray's touchdowns to go down as well, as many teams resort to Darren Sproles within the ten yard line. We saw it with LeSean McCoy, don't expect anything different with Murray. And that will kill his fantasy production.

Fred Jackson: As a Buffalo Bills fan, this one just breaks my heart. Unfortunately, the writing is on the wall for Fred Jackson. A solid running back that can move the pile and has no trouble breaking free, Jackson was a great clutch RB, especially in the Flex spot. This year, though, with the addition of LeSean McCoy, Jackson will be taking the back seat to carries. Rex Ryan has already stated that McCoy will be handling the majority of the runs, which means less time on the field for Jackson. With his age and how often he's injured, don't expect too much production out of Jackson this year.

Who will bounce back:

Andre Johnson: Andre Johnson used to be a great pick up in fantasy, and then he got injured. And had lack luster quarterbacks throwing to him, and began to just fizzle. It seemed like a great receiver was going to fade into oblivion. Then the Colts picked him up and my curiosity was piqued. Johnson now has a stud quarterback throwing to him. He also has a weapon across from him in T.Y. Hilton. With Reggie Wayne's retirement, expect Johnson to be the go to receiver for Andrew Luck, filling Wayne's void and complimenting Hilton perfectly.

Sam Bradford: I understand that Sam Bradford is injury prone. I understand that Bradford is also with a new team. All that aside, I think he is in store to have a great season. Bradford seems to be the only real stand out QB that the Eagles have, with Mark Sanchez getting older and Tim Tebow just taking up space. Bradford has a stacked backfield in DeMarco Murray and Darren Sproles and more weapons to throw to that he did in St. Louis. While Bradford has no 2014 stats to compare to, I expect him to break out this year, unless he gets injured again.

LeSean McCoy: Yes I am a Bills fan. No, I didn't pick LeSean McCoy simply because he is in Buffalo now. McCoy has a great running technique, able to avoid tackles and get up field quick. Last year, however, he was stifled. He had a few games that he would probably want to forget, and he had enough TDs stolen from him from Darren Sproles. Well this year, that changes. Rex Ryan has already said the McCoy will be receiving the majority of the carries for the Bills. Throw in a new quarterback, or an improved one in EJ Manuel, and the field suddenly looks bigger for McCoy. And with no real studs to contend with other than Fred Jackson, I see McCoy getting the necessary carries needed to make him a fantasy owner's dream RB.

AJ Green: While AJ Green is a stud player, he had somewhat of a bum season last year, compared to his previous years. While there aren't any major changes to the Bengals this year, I feel that Green, being in his last year of contract, will step his game up. Green has the height, the talent, and the team around him to flourish, and this should be the year that he really comes up shining.

Miami: With the signing of Ndamukong Suh, the Dolphins really stepped up their defensive game. Throw in Cameron Wake on the line and Brent Grimes in the secondary and you have a formidable defense to go against. With the lackluster Jets in their division, Miami's defense will be better for fantasy owners then it was in the past. Expect Suh to increase the sacks and with some luck, pressure quarterbacks to throw interceptions.

Thank you for reading my article on who to avoid and who to expect a bounce back from this season. I hope my predictions help you get far in your fantasy leagues.

Bryant Fuehrer @theontopofus

Link to: Fanatics Fantasy Football

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